**Ukraine’s Victory in Syria**
US President Joe Biden has said that Russia could not support its ally, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, due to the “massive damage” inflicted on Russian forces by Ukrainian troops.
**Assad Fled to Moscow**
Biden made his comments after Assad fled Syria with his family. The former dictator had ruled for 24 years until rebel forces captured Damascus, the capital city, on December 8.
**Russia’s Failure in Syria**
The US President said that Russia’s support for Assad failed because of Ukraine’s resistance. He added that Iran and Hezbollah, two other backers of Assad, were also weakened due to their involvement in a multi-front conflict with Israel.
**Ukraine’s Success Against Russia**
Biden said that Ukraine had put up a “wall of resistance” against Russian forces, inflicting massive damage on them. He cited the example of 1,220 casualties suffered by Russian forces just over the past day.
**New Law in Georgia**
In other news, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has announced plans to introduce a law banning participants in rallies and counter-rallies from covering their faces.
**Awards for Ukrainian Writer and EU Commissioner**
Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina was posthumously honored with the Special Prix Voltaire Award at the 34th International Publishers Congress. Meanwhile, European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed allocating 100 billion euros for defense in the next seven-year EU budget.
**US President-elect’s Comments**
US President-elect Donald Trump has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action towards negotiating a truce. He also reiterated his commitment to ending hostilities in Ukraine and resolving the war within 24 hours if he were in charge.
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